Texas Senate may ‘fast-track’ a campus carry bill

New Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick is asking for a state senate committee to put Senate Bill 11 up for a public hearing as soon as possible.

The bill is also known as the campus carry bill. It would allow students and other licensed gun permit holders to have their weapons on them while on a college campus.

Patrick said he’s looking forward to senators quickly addressing what he calls a “second amendment priority” — making college campuses a place where gun permit holders can carry their handguns.

The bill had a mixed reaction from UTEP students who spoke to ABC-7.

“It is a right, but I think there is a time and place and I don’t think the school is necessary to have a weapon,” said Marcia Alcantar.

Sebastian Chavez disagreed, saying, “If I can carry one myself, then I would be fine with it. I would be protecting myself, because that’s what the second amendment is there for.”

The campus carry legislation has fired up State Sen. Jose Rodriguez, D-El Paso.

“You still have to govern and work toward enacting policies that make sense for everyone, not just the constituents who voted you into office,” he told ABC-7 by phone from Austin, regarding the bill sponsored by 19 of his Republican colleagues.

“It just presents a dangerous situation we should try to avoid,” he added.

The president of the University of Texas System sent a letter to the state capitol saying there are concerns that concealed handguns on campus would contribute to a less safe environment.

Chancellor William McRaven also raised a question about how those weapons would be secured when off campus, such as at student housing complexes like UTEP’s Miner Village.

UTEP’s executive vice president Richard Adauto sent ABC-7 a statement which reads in part:

“UTEP’s law enforcement personnel … are concerned about the ability of our officers to differentiate between a hostile individual and one who may be defending himself/herself when both have guns drawn.

“Further, another potentially hazardous circumstance exists within our laboratory facilities, where chemicals and gases are not only present but often pressurized, creating a dangerous situation if a firearm was used.”

El Paso Community College president, Dr. William Serrata, told ABC-7 he hopes the legislators allow college boards to have the ultimate say whether guns are allowed on their campus.

Texas Tech officials declined several attempts to give their stance on the bill.

Rodriguez said he is working with El Paso-area law enforcement and college leaders to offer suggestions to make the bill less alarming for those opposed to it.

“Can we at least add amendments that would require adequate training for students who’ll be carrying these guns on campus?” said Rodriguez. “How about including other amendments that give the option for universities to not allow the guns on that particular campus?”

The bill would still need to be vetted by a committee before going to a vote before the full senate.